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Numerical and experimental research on a flexible heat pump system

Reference number ENGMAE002

Funding
Funded
Study mode
Full-time
Apply by
Year round
Start date
Year round
Subject area
Engineering
How to apply

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Overview

In this PhD project, the student will have the opportunity to work on the modelling and experimental research on the flexible heat pump technology. The student will also benefit from close collaboration with industrial partners.

About this opportunity

In the UK, heat constitutes about half of energy consumption. The government plans to install 19 million heat pumps in homes over the coming decades to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. However, the current adoption rate of heat pumps in the UK is low.

Challenges persist for heat pump technologies, particularly in the UK. Most of UK homes are connected to the gas grid, relying on gas boilers as the primary heating method. This poses a challenge as most available heat pumps operate at temperatures lower than what is typically required by the existing high-temperature heat emitters, necessitating costly retrofitting. Addressing these challenges requires innovations to enhance the cost-effectiveness of heat pump products, especially those designed for high temperatures.

The newly developed flexible heat pump technology integrates a heat storage into a conventional vapour compression heat pump cycle to recover, store and reuse the waste heat generated by the heat pump operation. As a result, it can achieve energy efficiency than conventional heat pumps.

In this PhD project, the student will have the opportunity to work on the modelling and experimental research on the flexible heat pump technology. The student will also benefit from close collaboration with industrial partners.

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Who is this for?

Candidates will have, or be due to obtain, a Master’s Degree or equivalent in a relevant subject. Exceptional candidates with a First Class Bachelor’s Degree in an appropriate field or significant relevant experience will also be considered.

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How to apply

  1. 1. Contact supervisors

    Candidates wishing to apply should complete the University of Liverpool application form to apply for a PhD in Mechanical Engineering

    Please review our guide on How to apply for a PhD | Postgraduate research | University of Liverpool carefully and complete the online postgraduate research application form to apply for this PhD project.

    Please ensure you include the project title and reference number ENGMAE002 when applying.

    Supervisor title and name Email address Staff profile URL
    Professor Zhibin Yu Zhibin.Yu@liverpool.ac.uk https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/zhibin-yu

  2. 2. Prepare your application documents

    You may need the following documents to complete your online application:

    • A research proposal (this should cover the research you’d like to undertake)
    • University transcripts and degree certificates to date
    • Passport details (international applicants only)
    • English language certificates (international applicants only)
    • A personal statement
    • A curriculum vitae (CV)
    • Contact details for two proposed supervisors
    • Names and contact details of two referees.

  3. 3. Apply

    Finally, register and apply online. You'll receive an email acknowledgment once you've submitted your application. We'll be in touch with further details about what happens next.

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Funding your PhD

This University funded Studentship will cover full tuition fees (for 2025-26 this is £5,006 pa.) and pay a maintenance grant for 3.0 years, at the UKRI standard rates (for 2025-26 this is £20,780 pa.) The Studentship also comes with access to additional funding in the form of a Research Training Support Grant to fund consumables, conference attendance, etc.

This studentship is available to any prospective student wishing to apply including both home and international students. While the university’s funding will not cover international fees. International applicants are expected to meet the fee difference.

An interview will be arranged to select the most suitable applicant.

We want all of our Staff and Students to feel that Liverpool is an inclusive and welcoming environment that actively celebrates and encourages diversity. We are committed to working with students to make all reasonable project adaptations including supporting those with caring responsibilities, disabilities or other personal circumstances. For example, If you have a disability you may be entitled to a Disabled Students Allowance on top of your studentship to help cover the costs of any additional support that a person studying for a doctorate might need as a result. We believe everyone deserves an excellent education and encourage students from all backgrounds and personal circumstances to apply.

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Contact us

Have a question about this research opportunity or studying a PhD with us? Please get in touch with us, using the contact details below, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Prof. Zhibin Yu
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